Student teaching. As part of your bachelor's degree program, you will complete a student teaching experience. This experience will give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned in the classroom to a real-world setting.
Certification. In order to teach physical education at the high school level, you must be certified by the state in which you plan to teach. The requirements for certification vary from state to state, but typically include passing a written exam and completing a background check.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the above, some states and schools may require you to have additional qualifications, such as:
- A master's degree in physical education or a related field. A master's degree can give you more specialized knowledge and skills in a particular area of physical education, such as athletic training, sports psychology, or exercise physiology.
- Experience coaching a sport. Coaching a sport can give you experience working with students in a physical education setting and can also help you develop your leadership and communication skills.
- Experience working with children or adolescents. Working with children or adolescents in a non-educational setting can help you develop your understanding of child development and behavior. This experience can also help you build relationships with students and their parents.
If you are interested in becoming a high school gym teacher, you should have a strong interest in physical education and a desire to work with students. You should also be physically active and have good communication and interpersonal skills.